Studio X
Studio X is a music and media recording studio in Seattle, Washington, United States. Originally part of the Kaye-Smith Enterprises media conglomerate founded by Lester Smith and actor Danny Kaye, the studio was used to record commercials and musical performances. The studio was re-launched as Steve Lawson Productions by Steve and Debbie Lawson in 1979. The sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of the band Heart owned the studio from 1991 until 1997, and named it Bad Animals after their 1987 album of the same name. Artists such as Heart, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Queensrÿche, Mad Season, Foo Fighters, Audioslave, Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, Jerry Cantrell, Eddie Vedder, Duff McKagan, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Radiohead, R.E.M., Deftones, Soulfly, Steve Vai, KMFDM, and Neil Young have recorded at the studio.
History
In 1991, Nancy and Ann Wilson of the band Heart entered into a partnership with Steve Lawson, who owned Kaye-Smith Studios where many of their 1970s hits, as well as their 1980 album Bébé le Strange, had been recorded. They upgraded the facility to the state-of-the-art, and renamed it Bad Animals Studio. The studio was named after Heart's 1987 album, Bad Animals. Ann and Nancy sold the studio back to the Lawsons in 1997, and it was renamed Studio X.Several of the Humongous Entertainment games were also recorded by Bad Animals Studios.
In May 1993, Nirvana entered Bad Animals Studios to remix the songs "Heart-Shaped Box" and "All Apologies" for their album In Utero.
The music video for Soundgarden's 1994 single "Fell on Black Days" was filmed at the studio.
In 1997, Steve Lawson sold Bad Animals to Mike McAuliffe, Dave Howe, Charlie Nordstrom and Tom McGurk.
In 1998, the Spice Girls recorded vocals for the song "Boyfriend/Girlfriend", their contribution to the South Park soundtrack at the studio.
In 2001, Bill Brown recorded all of the music for Microsoft's Windows XP operating system with a live orchestra at the studio.
On September 1, 2003, Seattle radio station KNDD 107.7 The End hosted a solo acoustic performance by Thom Yorke at Studio X.
In October 2017, the studio was purchased for $21.6 million by Skanska, which plans to build a 346-unit multifamily tower with ground-floor retail in the building.
On October 31, 2018, Studio X, now managed by Reed Ruddy, moved its location from Belltown to Capitol Hill. Alice in Chains' 2018 album Rainier Fog was the last album recorded at the original studio.
Albums recorded at Bad Animals/Studio X
Partial list.Bachman-Turner Overdrive II Bette Midler – Bette Midler- Not Fragile Track of the Cat – Dionne Warwick Little Queen – Heart M.I.U. Album – The Beach Boys Bébé le Strange – Heart Greatest Hits/Live – Heart Private Audition – Heart Metal Church - Metal Church Automatic For The People – R.E.M. Inhaler – Tad Desire Walks On – HeartSuperunknown – SoundgardenLive Through This – Hole Vitalogy – Pearl JamAbove – Mad SeasonMirror Ball – Neil YoungThe Road Home – Heart Adrenaline – DeftonesLucy – Candlebox Alice in Chains – Alice in ChainsDown on the Upside – SoundgardenNew Adventures in Hi-Fi – R.E.M.Yield – Pearl JamBoggy Depot – Jerry CantrellHeart Presents A Lovemongers' Christmas – Heart13 Ways to Bleed on Stage – ColdMy Favourite Headache – Geddy LeeRiot Act – Pearl JamAudioslave – AudioslaveDeftones – DeftonesSavages – SoulflySome Devil – Dave MatthewsTransatlanticism – Death Cab for CutieIn Between Evolution - The Tragically HipCatch Without Arms – DredgPearl Jam – Pearl JamInto the Wild – Eddie VedderUkulele Songs – Eddie VedderFanatic – HeartThe Heist – Macklemore & Ryan LewisKing Animal – SoundgardenLightning Bolt – Pearl JamSatyricon – SatyriconRainier Fog – Alice in Chains
Film scores recorded at Bad Animals/Studio X
Army of Darkness Dennis the Menace 10 Things I Hate About You Office Space PT Barnum The Way of the Gun The Wedding Planner Vanilla Sky A Walk to Remember Big Fish Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Club Dread Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Into the Wild Orphan The Blind Side Eat Pray Love Carol- ''The Founder''
Video game scores recorded at Bad Animals/Studio X
Halo 2 Original Soundtrack Star Wars: Republic Commando Halo 3 Original Soundtrack The Incredible Hulk Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack Solitaire Blitz Plants vs. Zombies Adventures Destiny Original Soundtrack Peggle 2 Original Soundtrack Age of Empires II- ''Heroes of Skyrealm''